Jumper-type Garment for Special Needs Population

ABSTRACT

A one piece washable jumper style garment with a rear closure to prevent unassisted wearer manipulation/removal, integrated side loop handles to allow for caretaker assistance to the wearer both in donning or removing the garment in movement, balance, and coordination, interior hygiene accessory pockets unreachable by the wearer without caregiver assistance that provides caretaker access to various clean-up aids.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a washable, re-usable jumper-type garment designed for an applicable population of the special-needs community.

BACKGROUND

Garments of various constructions dedicated to the special-needs community are well known. For example, Alfred U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,200, describes a garment that restricts unassisted disrobing by using an operable closure device/zipper disposed along an inaccessible zone of the garments rear panel. As disclosed, an actuator for the operable closure is positioned below the neck, between the shoulder blades, and selectively covered to prevent unassisted access. The wearer dons the garment via access through an opening in the rear panel.

Royal, U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,918, illustrates another garment construct for preventing unassisted disrobing using an unslotted front torso/pelvis-covering part without any fasteners. A complementary rear part includes a torso-length slot with a fastener and leg portions joined by a releasable fastener to permit the wearer to open the bottom of the garment to use the bathroom. The garment may also include arm sleeves.

Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,717, describes an adjustable garment for persons with autism to prevent unassisted removal, provide size adjustment, and includes special securement near the neck on the back side using a flapped, dual ring/clip closure system for preventing manipulation and undesirable results such as fecal smearing.

Stoneham U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,214, depicts a high-tension yoke/unstretchable, one-piece garment that prevents unassisted removal and access to a diaper/content thereof or medical devices worn next to the body (colostomy bag, etc.). Stoneham discusses problems with prior art devices relying on zipper-down-the-back arrangements in the context of access by the wearer.

Holyfield U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,312, describes a further variation of an anti-removal garment for persons with disabilities. The body-suit garment has a rear entry, a rear fastening mechanism secured with security flaps. It also can include an undergarment/diaper securing means and a vest (See FIGS. 12-13) for securing incontinent pads against patient removal (using safety pins) inside the body suit.

Finally, Hochman U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,978, illustrates and describes another form of an anti-removal, one-piece, washable garment for persons with disabilities that accommodates medical devices such as catheter tubes.

While the foregoing prior art addresses selected aspects of special-needs garments, there still exists a need in the art for a garment that provides in combination; 1) a rear closure to prevent unassisted wearer manipulation/removal, 2) integrated side loop handles to a) allow for caretaker assistance to the wearer both in donning or removing the garment, b) permit caregiver assistance when the wearer suffers from vestibular issues, particularly implicating movement, balance, and coordination, and c) allow for non-contact assistance by the caregiver which is particularly suited when a wearer suffers from sensory/hypersensitivity to touch, and/or sensory processing disorders, 3) interior hygiene accessory pockets unreachable by the wearer that provides caretaker access to various clean-up aids, 4) possesses a degree of water repellency to limit soiling, etc., 5) provides desirable visual aesthetics for the wearer while out in public in the community, and 6) is washable and reusable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment possessing a combination of specified features directed to a select user population, which is particularly assistive to a caregiver while possessing a visually aesthetic presentation for the wearer.

It is another object of this invention to provide a jumper-type garment that possesses a combination of features including rear closure to prevent unassisted wearer manipulation, integrated side handles to allow for caretaker assistance to the wearer in donning or removing the garment and allow for non-contact assistance in stabilization, internal hygiene accessory pockets unreachable by the wearer without caretaker assistance and that provides caretaker access to hygienic adjuncts to facilitate clean-up.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a jumper-type garment that enhances life quality of a wearer.

These and other objects are satisfied by a washable garment for covering the torso of a wearer that provides a caregiver assistance in care of the wearer by preventing unassisted removal, resisting unassisted internal access by a wearer, providing secure retention of hygiene accessories, and facilitating caregiver physical assistance to the wearer, the garment comprising: a) a front torso covering panel, the front torso panel providing a continuous, fabric piece dimensioned with a select length to cover the entire front torso having a shoulder covering portion, a first and second side edges, a lower groin/buttocks edge, a non-stretchable neck opening portion formed in the shoulder covering portion, a pair of non-stretchable side arm opening portions and a pair of non-stretchable leg opening portions, said front panel defining an exteriorly facing surface and an interiorly facing surface; b) a rear torso covering panel, said rear torso dimensioned generally to correspond to the front torso covering panel defining said select length, and having a shoulder covering portion, first and second side edges, a lower groin/buttocks edge, a non-stretchable neck opening portion formed in the shoulder covering portion, a pair of non-stretchable side arm opening portions, and a pair of non-stretchable leg openings, said rear torso covering panel further including a centrally located, longitudinally extending, closable access slot extending from the neck opening portion of a length less than the select length; c) an operable closing device associated and substantially coextensive with the access slot; d) an upper seam joining the shoulder covering portion of the front torso covering portion to the shoulder covering portion of the rear torso covering portion; e) a lower seam joining the lower groin/buttocks edge of the front torso covering portion to lower groin/buttocks edge of the rear torso covering portion; f) a pair of side seams joining said front torso covering portion to said rear torso covering portion extending from non-stretchable arm opening portions to the non-stretchable leg opening portions; g) an integrally handle disposed along each of the side seams between the arm opening portion and the leg opening, the handle being dimensioned to permit caregiver assistive manipulation to the wearer; and h) at least one openable hygiene adjunct storage pocket formed on the interiorly facing surface of the front torso covering panel accessible to a caregiver but not accessible by the wearer without caregiver assistance.

The inventive garment assists to prevent and/or substantially deter the wearer from independently removing or manipulating the garment, e.g., public disrobing, exposed masturbation, fecal smearing, medical device access, etc. Wearer manipulation is prevented by the positioning of the closure mechanism such as a plastic washable zipper extending longitudinally along the mid-back of the torso. The inventive garment features handles located on both sides to allow caregivers to provide assistance for garment manipulation to the wearer when necessary and also to assist the caregiver in helping to stabilize the wearer while engaging in physical activity such as walking, standing, or moving from or to a sitting position. In a preferred design, the garment constructed using an absorbent fabric with or without a liner with substantial interior water repellency for accident containment/concealment and easier clean-up. The jumper-type garment also features interiorly positioned pockets for retaining hygiene adjunct items which are not accessible to the wearer without assistance, such as wipes, gloves, and diapers/pull-ups particularly for use by a caregiver.

The jumper garment includes neck/arm and leg openings that should non-stretchable and reasonably sized to prevent a wearer from either being able to reach into the garment interior or to free a limb. Notably, by preventing wearer access to the garment interior, both the content of interiorly located pockets remains inaccessible and undesirable behaviors such as fecal smearing and the like are curtailed.

A variation may include the incorporation of padded sleeves and padded leggings employed for persons with tendencies for self-mutilation particularly to arms and legs from biting, scratching, etc. Such padded adjuncts may comprise part of the original garment or be in the form of detachably securable sleeve/legging pieces by a caretaker that provide some convertibility of the garment based on a perceived need as determined by the caretaker. In a convertible form, each of the adjunct sleeves/leggings are attachable/detachable, preferably using a dedicated set of zipper-type closures to allow the caregiver to effectively and efficiently modify the garment by selective addition or removal. Each of the zipper-type closures may be concealed/covered by a fabric piece to limit wearer's unassisted access/manipulation.

Such convertible adjuncts serve generally maintain the unitary nature of the jumper garment, while providing a caregiver some additional flexibility, particularly applicable in the event of wearer self-mutilation and/or moving from variable ambient environments, i.e. a warm indoor, to a outside, cooler environment.

The inventive garment may also incorporate safety enhancements such as high visibility/fluorescent colors, particularly useful by caretakers by providing easier location and identification of a wearer suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who is subject to wandering or bolting. The garment is also usable by adult populations suffering from aliments such as Sundowners syndrome, Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, the garment may be formed from a laminated fabric that includes a discrete water-proof liner layer or a composite material possessing water resistance and/or wicking properties.

In short, the present garment invention comprises departure from the existing anti-removal garments described in the above-discussed prior art in that the totality of specified features focusing on facilitating and protecting both the wearer and the caregiver. These include the anti-unassisted removal elements, the assistive integrated handle/loops, unassisted inaccessible hygiene/clean-up article containing pockets, and, in some embodiments, moisture management and resistance. The jumper-type garment is washable, reusable, and prevents/substantially deter the wearer from independent removal of the garment or unassisted access to the garment interior. The general construction of the inventive fabric garment involves a substantially continuous, unapertured front panel defining an exterior exposed surface and an interiorly facing surface dimensioned to cover wearers torso. The front panel is joined to a correspondingly dimensioned, back torso panel with a longitudinal access opening, closable with an operable closure device (zipper). The front and back panels are sewn along longitudinal side seams in a manner to provide openings to accommodate the wearer's neck, arms and legs. Each side of the garment includes an integrated loop handle sewn into the side seams and disposed on each side between the arm and leg openings. The interior surface of the front panel of the jumper includes a at least one integrated interior pocket inaccessible to the wearer without caregiver assistance to carry hygiene items such as wipes, gloves, and diapers/pull-ups particularly for use by a caregiver upon need.

The following definitions are provided to assist in understanding the scope of the invention as described herein.

“Torso” as used herein has a broadened meaning inclusive of the anatomical segment commonly referred to as the trunk, the hips, the groin portion, gluteal portion and the upper leg portion which extends toward the knees. This definition of torso expands the conventional meaning to provide a convenient short-hand involving a larger proportion of the body by including a portion of the legs.

“Wicking” refers to a capacity of the fabric for dispersing or spreading moisture or liquid but not vapor through a given area, typically by capillary action. Wicking contemplates the capacity of the fabric to transport urinary discharge, perspiration, etc. immediately to the fabric side facing away from the wearer's skin (wicking effect) so that the wearer avoids moisture accumulation on the skin and the accompanying sensory issues associated with a feeling of wetness.

As used herein “substantially,” “generally,” and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessing more of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, and preferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functional characteristic.

As used herein, “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

As used in this application the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, and which is shown by way of illustration to a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. The following illustrated embodiment should make apparent an enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiment may be utilized and that structural changes based on presently known structural and/or functional equivalents may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Given the following detailed description, it should become apparent to the person having ordinary skill in the art that the invention herein

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is front view of a jumper type garment corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a jumper type garment corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the interior facing front surface of a jumper type garment corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention with the upper garment portion folded down to expose interior pockets.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment with self-mutilation limiting detachable padded sleeves and leggings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

The illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 depicts a fabric jumper garment 10 with a front torso panel 12 secured to a rear torso panel 14 in a conventional manner, typically, by stitching the fabric panels 12 and 14 along longitudinal seams 20, shoulder seams 23, and groin seam 25 to establish a unitary garment 10. The fabric jumper garment 10 includes a neck opening 22, shoulder portions 23, a pair of arm openings 24, and a pair of leg openings 26. These openings preferably feature some reinforcement to prevent stretching/distortion by a wearer and impair both unassisted access the garment interior and/or removal of the garment from a limb during use. Any such reinforcement should maintain pliancy and provide a similarity in touch and feel to the fabric forming the front and rear panels in order to minimize aggravating a wearer with sensory issues. A handle/loop 18 is disposed approximately midway along the longitudinal seams 20 along each side of the garment 10 proximate to upper portion of the wearer's hips. Preferably, the loop/handles 18 are integrated with the seams 20 and attached to the jumper garment 10 along seam 20 at two spaced points. The distance separating the points should be sufficient for a caregiver to firmly grasp the loop handles upon need. Additional reinforcement (not illustrated), may be provided to avoid tearing, ripping or separation of the loop/handles from the seams 20 of the jumper garment 10. Such reinforcement should be incorporated in a manner to avoid disturbing a wearer with sensory issues by presenting minimal tactile discontinuity with the seams to decrease a wearer's focus on differences that can lead to picking/pulling on the handle/loops 18.

Such reinforcement of the seams may be in the form of a strong tear resistant fabric ribbon that is sewn, glued, welded, etc. by conventional techniques to enhance tear resistance of the loop handle 18 from the seam 20. Furthermore, the seams 20 may also include a degree of water repellency to avoid undesirable fluid migration/leakage through the seam to the garment exterior.

The rear panel 14 of the jumper garment 10 features a closable access opening 16 for the wearer. The access opening 16 is generously dimensioned, is centrally aligned along the longitudinal axis of the wearer's torso and extends from the neck opening 22 to the lower portion of the garment corresponding to the lower buttocks/groin portion. By this design, the wearer can easily don the jumper garment 10 by inserting his/her legs through the leg openings 26, sliding a first arm into an arm opening followed by sliding the other arm through the other arm opening. The caregiver is then able to assist the wearer to close the access opening from the backside by manipulating a longitudinal closure element, e.g., a closed-end zipper 17.

The fabric used for construction of the garment, preferably, is selected from conventional comfortable, aesthetically desirable, textile material such as a poly-cotton blend. The fabric may, itself, feature technologically enhanced properties to improve water resistance, vapor-permeability, etc. achieved by conventional treatments, mechanical lamination, or the like. Particularly in cases involving tactile hypersensitivity, the fabric may include moisture wicking properties to decrease wearer discomfort from an “accident” by dispersing discharge away from the wearer's skin before the caregiver is able to remedy the situation. Regardless of the physical properties of the chosen fabric, preferably, the garment 10 will maintain an appearance of conventional clothing allowing for the incorporation of patterning/coloration/markings aesthetically-pleasing to the wearer.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary interiorly-facing surface of front panel 12 of garment 10. The embodiment of FIG. 3 includes a pair of interior facing pockets 28, that are inaccessible to the wearer without caregiver assistance by partial removal of the garment. The pockets 28 provide for storage of hygiene products in the nature of gloves, disposable bags, hygienic wipes, diapers/incontinence pads/incontinence underwear. Preferably, the pockets 28 are constructed with a waterproof liner or the like to prevent migration of any accidental discharge to the contained hygiene products. The pockets 28 are closed by a resealable flap or plastic zipper slide type closure to avoid creating a distraction to the wearer. The non-obtrusive closure device should be readily accessible and openable by the caregiver to access the contents of the pockets.

As illustrated, the pockets 28 are vertically disposed with the closure on the upper edge relative to the orientation of garment 10. However, the invention contemplates orientation of the pockets to also be horizontal with the lateral side edges providing the closure which would be accessible to a caregiver through the access opening 16 and/or vertically inverted, as illustrated in FIG. 4, so when the garment is partially removed and folded down by the caregiver from the wearer's upper torso, the pockets 28 are inverted where the pocket closures, a closure flap 30 in the illustrated embodiment, now define the upper pocket edge. A further modification of the illustrated embodiment contemplates a single, larger hygiene product pocket that extends across the wearer's abdomen.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment providing for attachment of padded arm sleeves 32 and leggings 34 to address protection from self-mutilation by the wearer. In this embodiment, one side of padded zipper-like closure 31 circumscribe the arm and leg openings. The mating zipper element is affixed to the and circumscribes the padded sleeves 32 and leggings 34 openings. When a caregiver believes a wearer would benefit from the additional protection provided by one or more of the padded adjuncts, the caregiver can affix the selected adjunct(s) sleeves 32 and or leggings 34 by mating the zipper closure elements and attaching the sleeve(s) and/or leggings to the garment 10. Correspondingly, the attached adjuncts may be detached by the caregiver given a particular situation. Preferably the zipper elements 31 are covered to prevent wearer access and the zipper start is on the rear panel 14. Also, the sleeves 32 may incorporate a thumb hook 35 to limit wearer hand movement and reduce self-mutilating activity.

Inclusion of additional conventional elements and/or other details in the prior art such as medical device/sensor retaining adjuncts, catheter feedthroughs, and electronic wearable technology may also be incorporated into the garment of this invention.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it is understood by those skilled in the art that other modifications and embodiments of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is therefore understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that many modifications and other embodiments of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the description invention. 

1. A washable garment for covering the torso of a wearer that provides a caregiver assistance in care of the wearer by preventing unassisted removal, resisting unassisted internal access by a wearer, providing secure retention of hygiene accessories, and facilitating caregiver physical assistance to the wearer, the garment comprising: a) a front torso covering panel, the front torso panel providing a continuous, fabric piece dimensioned with a select length to cover the entire front torso having a shoulder covering portion, a first and second side edges, a lower groin/buttocks edge, a non-stretchable neck opening portion formed in the shoulder covering portion, a pair of non-stretchable side arm opening portions and a pair of non-stretchable leg opening portions, said front panel defining an exteriorly facing surface and an interiorly facing surface; b) a rear torso covering panel, said rear torso dimensioned generally to correspond to the front torso covering panel defining said select length, and having a shoulder covering portion, first and second side edges, a lower groin/buttocks edge, a non-stretchable neck opening portion formed in the shoulder covering portion, a pair of non-stretchable side arm opening portions, and a pair of non-stretchable leg openings, said rear torso covering panel further including a centrally located, longitudinally extending, closable access slot extending from the neck opening portion of a length less than the select length; c) an operable closing device associated and substantially coextensive with the access slot; d) an upper seam joining the shoulder covering portion of the front torso covering portion to the shoulder covering portion of the rear torso covering portion; e) a lower seam joining the lower groin/buttocks edge of the front torso covering portion to lower groin/buttocks edge of the rear torso covering portion; f) a pair of side seams joining said front torso covering portion to said rear torso covering portion extending from non-stretchable arm opening portions to the non-stretchable leg opening portions; g) an integral handle sewn into and disposed along each of the side seams between the arm opening portion and the leg opening, the handle being dimensioned to permit caregiver assistive manipulation to the wearer; and h) at least one openable hygiene adjunct storage pocket formed on the interiorly facing surface of the front torso covering panel accessible to a caregiver but not accessible by the wearer without caregiver assistance.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The washable garment of claim 1 further comprising a pair openable hygiene adjunct storage pockets.
 4. The washable garment of claim 3 further comprising a flap pocket closure.
 5. The washable garment of claim 1 further comprising a zippered storage pocket closure.
 6. The washable garment of claim 1 further comprising a waterproof storage pocket liner.
 7. The washable garment of claim 1 further comprising a fabric possessing a moisture wicking properties.
 8. The washable garment of claim 1 where the pocket is disposed horizontally and accessible to a caregiver through the longitudinal access slot.
 9. The washable garment of claim 1 further comprising water resistant covering to prevent moisture migration through the upper seam, lower seam, and side seams.
 10. The washable garment of claim 1 where the seams are sewn together with stitching.
 11. The washable garment of claim 1 further comprising detachable, padded limb coverings. 